White Mountain Apache Tribe (Arizona)

Yankton Sioux Tribe (South Dakota)

Flip through the medals using the back and forward arrows aboveor use the list below to view details and high-resolution images.

On November 20, 2013 in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol, 25 tribes were awarded Congressional Gold Medals in recognition of the dedication and valor of Native American code talkers to the U.S. Armed Services during World War I and II. Another tribe also was recognized at the ceremony with the unveiling of its medal designs.

Comanche Nation(Oklahoma)

Obverse

The obverse design features the Comanche Code and Spirit Talker Monument located at Comanche Nation headquarters. Inscriptions are COMANCHE CODE TALKERS and NUMUNU, Comanche language for “people.”

Reverse

Designer: Don Everhart
Engraver: Don Everhart

The reverse design features the Comanche Nation logo, the 90th Infantry Division insignia on the left and the 4th Infantry Division insignia on the right. Inscriptions are PUHIHWITEKWA EKASAHPANA, WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II and ACT OF CONGRESS 2008. According to the Comanche Nation, when loosely interpreted, “puhihwitekwa ekasahpana” means “soldiers talking on phones made of metal.”

Note: Move your mouse over the images of the coin to zoom in on its detail.

The Program

The Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 (Act) (Public Law 110-420) requires the Secretary of the Treasury to strike Congressional Medals in recognition of the dedication and valor of Native American code talkers to the U.S. Armed Services during World War I and World War II. “Code talkers” refers to those Native Americans who used their tribal languages as a means of secret communication during wartime.

Under the Act, unique gold medals are struck for each Native American tribe that had a member who served as a code talker. Silver duplicate medals are presented to the specific code talkers, their next of kin, or other personal representatives. In addition, bronze duplicates are available for sale to the public.

The Navajo Nation was awarded Congressional Gold Medals in 2001 under Public Law 106-554.